Amorim costs United again as head coach shows a lack of bravery in the second half vs West Ham

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Thursday. Both Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes made the starting XI, but Matthijs de Ligt suffered a minor injury which meant he missed out for the first time this season. Ayden Heaven started for the first time, but he lasted only 45 minutes as he got booked early on while generally looking nervous at the back. The hosts were much the better side, in the first half, with Zirkzee and the skipper coming closest. While the Dutchman’s instinctive header was cleared off the line, Fernandes’ struck the post with an ambitious volley. Defensive subs cost United The 20-time English league champions then deservedly took the lead through Diogo Dalot in the 58th minute, and were cruising at that stage, dominating possession while hardly allowing the visitors any space in the final third. Then Ruben Amorim decided to try and hold on to the lead, instead of trying to double their advantage. We all know what happens in the English top-flight when a team decides to try and batten down the hatches with a slender lead. He brought off two of his attacking stars in Matheus Cunha, and Joshua Zirkzee as well as the goalscorer for Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu. The Hammers slowly started seeing more of the ball, while the Red Devils slowly adopted a low block. Against the run of play, West Ham scored from a corner as the home side dropped two points. Time and again this season, the head coach’s decision-making hardly makes sense. With such a slender lead, why did he not push on instead of deciding to hold on. Ruben Amorim keeps going defensive all the time The Red Devils have always been known for their risk-taking, but Amorim keeps trying to play it safe. Bringing on Ugarte instead of Kobbie Mainoo or even Shea Lacey shows the head coach’s mentality. Dorgu’s decision-making after coming on was below-par as well. Whenever rivals have ceded ground, United have failed to take advantage. Inconsistency continues to plague the 20-time English league champions who have won away at Anfield, and Selhurst Park, only to lose to Everton and draw to a poor West Ham at home. Now up next is Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are dead last. There is no guarantee United can take advantage. Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25